Macron: "Muhammad Satirical Cartoon May Be Shocking... Violence Must Not Be Justified"

Interview with Al Jazeera on the 31st of last month... "Understanding the emotions stirred by the cartoon"
"But protecting freedom of expression is my role"... Criticism of political leaders' distortion

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that the caricatures of the Islamic prophet Muhammad published by the French weekly Charlie Hebdo could be shocking to Muslims, but stated that justifying violence is unacceptable.

According to Al Jazeera and other outlets on the 31st of last month (local time), President Macron expressed a conciliatory tone toward Islam in an interview with Al Jazeera that afternoon. He said, "I understand that people can be shocked by the caricatures," and added, "I understand and respect the emotions that these (caricatures) have stirred."

However, President Macron emphasized, "Justifying violence is absolutely unacceptable," and said, "You must understand that calming the situation is my role." He also added, "Protecting the freedom to speak, write, think, and draw in our country is also my responsibility."

In France, anti-Islam sentiment rapidly spread after middle school history teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded by an Islamic extremist youth on the 16th for using caricatures of the prophet Muhammad as teaching material. President Macron expressed support for freedom of expression regarding the magazine that published the caricatures, which led to a boycott of French products by Muslims in the Middle East and Asia who opposed this.

Regarding the Muhammad caricatures, President Macron criticized political leaders for distorting the issue and making people believe it was a creation of the French government. He explained, "Because people know that I support these caricatures, the result is distortion and lies about my words," and added, "Those caricatures are not a government project but come from a free and independent press."

President Macron has stated that even before the beheading of the middle school teacher, he would never stand idly by Islamic extremists threatening French law and republican values. In particular, he said that Islam in France needs to be free from external influences such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, and announced plans to verify foreign financial support for mosques (Islamic temples) and to crack down on foreign preachers proselytizing within French territory.